RecruitPKB: James Madison Coach Q and A

This week's college coach Q and A is a special one for me. James Madison head coach Sarah Sargent and I were college teammates and roommates at Furman University. We both came into college as the underdogs among some of the top players in the country as teammates and we each paved our own paths of success both collegiately and professionally. She has also been a good friend for almost 16 years now as we played professionally for several years after college, then started our current careers that happen to coincide so we have managed to stay in touch after all these years. I am excited to see what she will be able to do with the program there at JMU. She is definitely one of a kind with a great passion for the game of golf and helping young players become the best they can be. [...]

By |2017-09-13T12:08:45-04:00August 20th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|1 Comment
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RecruitPKB: Walk Ons and Roster Spots

What is the difference between a walk-on and a roster spot? This is always a tough question to answer because many coaches use these terms differently. Generally, a walk-on means you get into the school on your own and will be given the opportunity to try out for the team. Some coaches do not allow walk-ons. If they do, you will typically play a certain number of rounds with a team member. Depending on what you shoot, the coach will decide if you make the team. It is extremely difficult to walk on because a coach has already decided on his/her team roster for that year. A roster spot is a better scenario because it is a guaranteed spot on the team, you just aren’t receiving any athletic scholarship money. Some coaches, however, will call this a "walk on" as well and don't expect you to tryout. [...]

By |2017-09-13T12:08:46-04:00August 5th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: UNC Coach Interview

This is definitely a must read coach interview. While all coaches have their own opinions, philosophies and demands, Coach Jan Mann, the women's head golf coach at UNC Chapel Hill, has some great insight into the recruiting process and playing college golf. While I didn't play for Coach Mann she recruited me while she was at UNC Wilmington and I have been fortunate to maintain a good relationship with her and have the opportunity to spend time learning from her. Big thanks to her for taking the time to answer some questions for me. What is your own coaching philosophy?   Every player is different in how you communicate and relate to them.  I try to be conscious of the needs of each player and try to work with them in a manner that is beneficial to the individual.  Team chemistry is very important to me.  It [...]

By |2017-09-13T12:08:46-04:00July 17th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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Recruit PKB: Embrace the Grind

This time of year I see many junior golfers start to struggle with the grind of summer golf. Between the heat, the competition and the hundreds of golf holes played it can start to take a toll. I absolutely loved golf in the summer but it does start to become a bit of a grind. If I wasn't at a tournament, I spent all day at the golf course, usually taking a lunch and pool break during the middle of the day to cool off, then I was right back at it all afternoon and into the evening. I know for many players it may seem like work and if you aren't playing well it can really become tough to grind it out. Many non-golfers are probably at home hanging out in the air conditioning, or laying by the pool, while you sweat it out practicing or [...]

By |2017-09-13T11:46:00-04:00July 11th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: The Landing Drill

When chipping from just off the green you should always pick a landing spot that you want to land the ball on. Assess the shot to determine what club will land about 5-7 ft onto the green and provide the roll needed to get to the hole. Take into account any break in the green and pick your landing spot accordingly. This will make the shot much easier when you can focus on hitting a spot that is only several feet in front of you rather than a pin that is farther away. Drill: Lay a towel or hula hoop about 5-7 ft onto the green. Start about 2 paces off the green with one of your wedges, landing the ball on the towel or hula hoop. You are only focused on where the ball lands. Repeat with SW through 8iron. A good goal is to land [...]

By |2017-09-13T11:46:00-04:00July 1st, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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Recruit PKB: Keeping Your Stats

As you begin to progress in taking ownership of your game one big step is learning to keep up with your own stats. I know it may seem hard to juggle your stats while trying to keep up the pace but if you can learn a few tricks then it will make it much easier. Start by keeping your stats during practice and keep the stats simple to begin with. Grab a scorecard and after each hole simply write an F if you hit the fairway and a G if you hit the green. Then mark a slash for each putt. If you miss the green and get up and down then write u/d or sand if it was out of the bunker. If you don't get up and down, then mark an X through it. These are just a few basic stats to get started with. [...]

By |2017-09-13T11:46:01-04:00May 29th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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Recruit PKB: Request for the Girls

With Father's Day just around the corner I want to do something fun for the dads. While I know that most of the article readers each week are more than likely parents, I want to get the girls involved with this request. I am asking the girls to send me a story or quick comment about their dads. While we all love our moms just the same, when it comes to golf, many times there is a unique and special bond between a girl and her father. I know for me there was one from the first time my dad handed me a golf club. So parents, please encourage your daughter to submit a comment or story over the next couple of weeks. It can be a funny story, or something sweet and sentimental, just something that the girls would like to share about their time with [...]

By |2017-09-13T11:46:01-04:00May 22nd, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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Recruit PKB: Seminole State Coach Interview

I wanted to provide a little different perspective to the recruiting process that many families don't consider, Junior College. Junior College is a great option for late bloomers or players who have the goal of playing at a bigger university but didn't find the right fit in time. It can be very similar to attending a golf academy for a year or two where you will receive top notch instruction, while earning college hours. But it's no piece of cake to play at the top JuCo programs. The Seminole State girls finished the spring season with a team average score of 300.8, that's averaging 75.2 individually. That's some very strong golf, including several 36 holes days. Check out their page, https://www.seminolestate.edu/athletics/wgolf/ and follow them on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/SeminoleStateWomensGolf.  Here is some insight from Head Coach Christa Teno. What is your coaching background/bio? Prior to taking the job at Seminole I [...]

By |2017-09-13T12:08:47-04:00May 6th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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Recruit PKB: What Jordan Taught Us

What an exciting week it has been in the golf world. I was fortunate enough to snag my dad's Masters tickets and head down there on Thursday with one of my girls. We had a great time! The atmosphere and energy there is truly a "tradition unlike any other". But most importantly, I believe this past week has taught all of us a lot about what being the "complete golfer" really means through Jordan Spieth. He embodies so many qualities that a young golfer can look up to. It is not just about being a great golfer, it's about the appreciation for the opportunities you are given to play the game and the ways you can use golf to become a better person. It's very easy to get wrapped up in your own success, your own goals and your own frustrations but you must always remember what [...]

By |2017-09-13T11:46:29-04:00April 18th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|1 Comment
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Recruit PKB: Your Questions Part 2

While the college coaches are busy with their season, I am going to give them a break from picking their brains about the recruiting process. Now it's your chance to get your questions answered. Email me with any questions you have about college recruiting, playing college or professional golf or other questions you may have about becoming the best golfer/person you can be. Send them to bjackson@pkbgt.org and I will do my best to address them over the next few articles. I have received this similar question several times so I thought I would do my best to address it. Please keep in mind this is giving a general idea of how the process happens so if you would like to discuss more specific to your situation please contact me directly and we can schedule a consultation. My daughter is a sophomore, we don't really have a [...]

By |2017-09-13T12:08:48-04:00March 18th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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